[Neurons] 2008 Meta Reflections #6

[meta]

From: L. Michael Hall

2008 Meta Reflections #6

February 11, 2008


ACTUALIZING "IDOL" POTENTIALITIES



"Idol" is a talent search phenomenon on TV in several countries. It is a Reality Show wherein auditions are held to look for the next big musical talent. Recently I've been watching the new seventh season of "American Idol" during our cold Colorado winter.  In the first weeks of the program the first auditions for new talent were held in seven major cities where sometimes 20,000 to 30,000 people showed up for the auditions. From 100,000 contestants, 164 were given "golden tickets" and chosen to go to Hollywood for the next level of auditions.

If you've seen the Australian Idol, American Idol or any of the other ones, you have seen the funny, silly, ridiculous, pathetic, and curious phenomena of people who obviously have no singing talent trying really hard in the audition only then to suffer utter shock and disappointment when they are told that they can't sing. The reality shock of the non-talented is simultaneously a mixture of comedy and tragedy. As untalented in music as I am, I can auditorially detect that they can't sing, so I'm always wondering, "Hasn't anyone ever told them that they can't carry a tune? Why would their friends and family not let them know? Are they all tone-deaf?"

Because these auditions involve a performance and the contestants are there to actualize their highest and best musical potentials in hope of becoming the next American Idol, I've been watching in terms of the Self-Actualization Quadrants and the Meaning/ Performance axes.

After the participants get a number, they enter a room to perform a song for 60-seconds acapella. The judges (Simon, Paula, and Randy) then make a judgment whether their talent is good enough to go to the next level. Sometimes they give feedback regarding the person's musical, singing, or entertaining talent, but mostly they just give a thumbs up or thumbs down judgment.

Several factors make the show entertaining- the search for new talent, the incredible singers that do show up, and touching stories of what some people have done to get to the audition, and the sometimes the incredible lack-of-talent.

At the heart of the contest is the evaluation of the person's performance.

Can the person sing? Can he or she carry a tune, sing the notes, hold the pitch, remember the words, etc.? Is the person's singing of "star quality?" How does the person carry him or herself? Can the person be entertaining in the performance? Can the person manage his or her nerves and the test anxiety of the situation? 

Now in terms of actualizing one's best and entering into the pathway of a peak performance, I have been paying attention to the combination of meanings and performances that the contestants bring to the auditions.

What does it mean to them?

For many, it is their chance at riches, fame, and stardom; for others it is about the music, or the message, or to make their family (or spouse, or child) proud. For others it is a chance to dress up and be silly, or to get on national TV, or to gather with thousands and see how outrageous they can be. 

How much meaning do various people give to the audition?

For some it is the biggest meaning of their lives. Some have planned for it for years; some are returning from previous seasons when they were rejected in their audition. Others seem to have just showed up for the day because they didn't have anything better to do. Many worked extra jobs to save money to get to the audition city; some borrow money, others were supported by their family.

How well is a person doing in the performance?

The participants ranged from those who didn't prepare at all to those who extensively prepared. Of those who prepared, some took voice lessons as part of their preparation, others practiced everyday for hours. Among those who didn't prepare were many who forgot their lines in the auditions. One series of video clips showed 30 or so who forgot their lines and stumbled for the words in the 60-second audition. Some had the words written on bits of paper or on the palm of their hands.

Is the person self-aware, self-monitoring, and open to seeking and receiving feedback?

Perhaps the most common feature of the first auditions is how many people apparently had never received any feedback on their singing skills. Simon frequently asked, "Is this a joke?" "Has anyone ever heard you sing?" And just as common would be the judge's feedback: "That was bad." "That was horrible." "You were off-key, your pitch was all over the place." "It was pitchy." "You can't sing."

It is obvious that some of the contestant are there just for the fun of it. But among many, they apparently thought they sounded good to themselves and so they assumed they were good, even "the best ever!" Often when they were told that singing is not their talent - half would be shocked, stunned, amazed, reduced to tears, etc. Some would beg for another try. And their lack of reality-testing which made their hopes, expectations, and beliefs unrealistic led to them feeling utterly crushed. The other half would get aggressive, call the judges names, insult them, curse at them, give them the finger, and make a big scene.

What enables you to actualize your best potentials? How can you actualize your "idol" performance? Isn't it obvious that you must first identify your actual talents? Once you do that then you can develop the talent through practice, discipline, learning, coaching, more practice, feedback, etc. And yes, you need to believe in yourself, believe in the value of actualizing your best. Then handle test anxiety, find support from those who also believe in you, and stay with it with persistence and resilience. Here's to you actualizing your highest and best!

 
USA Meta-Coaching, July 2008
Module I:  

            April 4-6, Portland Or.  Cat Wilson and Rich Aanrich    

            Apositiva:  cat at apositivechange.com or rich at apositivechange.com

            (503) 525-0595.



Modules II and III  --- Grand Junction Colorado, Ramada Inn

        July 1-3, 2008  APG --- Accessing Personal Genius

        July 5-12, 2008   Coaching Mastery

            Sponsored by Neuro-Semantics Ltd. Colorado

            Write for a Flyer, Registration form and pricing



The Ultimate Self-Actualization Workshop

At this moment, I only have one workshop scheduled for 2008. Many other Neuro-Semantic Trainers will soon be offering this workshop and when I get their schedules, I will put them here. Our launch date for the New Human Potential Movement is May when I am anticipating that one to three dozen Neuro-Semantic Trainers to be presenting.

May 17-19, 2008 

ID Com. International, Montreal Canada. Isabell David. Phone: 450-224-5398 / 514-815-5457. idcom at cgocable.ca / idcom at idcominter.com Web: www.idcominter.com. 

I will be delivering this training in English (!) and it will simultaneously be translated into French. There will be other English only speakers there. Come and enjoy a taste and feel of Europe in Montreal.





L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.
Neuro-Semantics Ltd., Executive Director
ISNS - International Society of Neuro-Semantics
P.O. Box 8
Clifton, Colorado, 81520 USA
www.neurosemantics.com 
www.meta-coaching.org
www.self-actualizing.org 

Email: meta @onlinecol.com @acsol.net @mindfocus.co.za
(970) 523-7877
(970) 523-5790 FAX
(877) 686-2867 toll free in the USA only
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